Holidays 4 U clients face long wait for compensation

Low-income families face losing out on summer holiday altogether as rescue fund could take eight months to pay outThousands of holidaymakers who had their summer getaways ruined by the collapse of tour operator Holidays 4 UK have been told they may have to wait months for compensation.About 50,000 people who had booked and paid for Holidays 4 UK trips to Turkey have been told that they would have to wait up to eight months for cash from the Civil Aviation Authority's rescue fund. The delay means thousands of low-income families will be unable to rebook another holiday this summer. Flights carrying Holidays 4 UK customers were due to leave seven UK airports, but those who booked with the company, which trades as Holidays 4U and Aegean Flights, were told to stay at home.Holidays 4 UK, which went into administration on Wednesday, was covered by the CAA's Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) rescue fund, but a CAA spokesman said refunds would take "months rather than weeks".Laura Gardyne, from Dundee, who was due to fly to Turkey in September, said: "We have to wait to receive our money back and this could take up to eight months. I think it is an absolute disgrace. People should be getting their money back cash in hand or offered another holiday at the same time."Gloria De Piero, the shadow culture minister, said families should not pay the price for "corporate failure"."The government must ensure that those already abroad are looked after. They need to be able to complete their holiday and return home on time and everyone who had a holiday booked with Holidays 4U should receive their compensation as soon as possible, so they don't miss out on a holiday this year."Travel & leisureAirline industryConsumer rightsRupert Neateguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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